Initial testing of two of four family
members in Lusby, three of whom have died, suggests that that the
serious lung infection suffered by all four was a complication of
seasonal flu. A fourth family member remains hospitalized at Washington
Hospital Center and is improving.

The above comments from the latest
update from the Calvert County Health Department website indicate
the Calvert
County, Maryland death
cluster was linked to seasonal influenza. A call to the
health department indicates the state lab obtained an H3
serotype. However, it remains unclear if the H3 is Perth/16-like
and recognized by the current H3N2 vaccine or a "low reactor” as described
in the week 8 FluView.

Moreover, it remains unclear if this is a Perth/16 variant or an H3N2v
which gives and H3 positive on the CDC PCR test. H3N2v has D225G,
which is associated with patients coughing
up blood.

More detail on the PCR testing and sequences from the CDC would be
useful.